Abstract
Summary
1. Whole sera and globulins from the blood of individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Eggs of S. mansoni were incubated in these labeled globulins with subsequent formation of circumoval precipitate. Examination of this precipitate by the direct and indirect FA technics revealed a bright greenish-yellow fluorescence. 2. The fluorescent circumoval precipitin technic demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance. Positive reactions were obtained in 30 sera from individuals with known infections. Negative reactions were obtained in 20 sera from individuals not infected with S. mansoni and in the sera of 25 children, heavily parasitized with intestinal helminths, but not with S. mansoni. 3. The sensitivity and specificity of the circumoval reaction, in addition to the advantages introduced by the fluorescent antibody technic, might make the fluorescent circumoval precipitin technic highly reliable for serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis.
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